DEL MAR — After reflecting on the candy-crazed theme of last summer’s San Diego County Fair, fairgrounds staff are opting for something a little more “Oz-some” in 2019.
“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” will be the focus of next year’s fair, set to run from Friday, May 31 to Thursday, July 4.
“The fair’s theme is quite special to San Diegans,”
, the deputy general manager of Fairtime Operations, stated in a press release. The novel’s author, L. Frank Baum, was a frequent visitor of Coronado — where it is rumored he found the inspiration behind a few of the books in his Oz series.
Mueller unveiled the theme at the Oct. 9 22nd District Agricultural Association Board meeting, along with Frederick Schenk, chair of the Fair Operations Committee.
The theme and logo were approved by the board.
“We’ve actually been working on this theme for a quite a while,” Mueller said. “… it’s a theme for all ages. It goes back to celebrating the fantasy that we all love when we come to the fair, to sort of leave the real world behind and come to a new land.”
The board also approved eight contracts with summer grandstand artists, including Justin Moore, Jim Gaffigan and Smokey Robinson. Mueller said the first few acts will go on sale Oct. 27 — the earliest date on record.
Visit sdfair.com for more information.
